Capital Networks Pty Ltd v .au Domain Administration Limited [2004] FCA 808

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Capital Networks Pty Ltd v .au Domain Administration Limited [2004] FCA 808 CONTRACT – respondent administrator of .au domain name space – contract for accreditation of registrar (applicant) in .au domain name space – scope of respondent's right to request information in relation the "registrar's business" – does right extend to information in relation to .au domain space only or does it extend to the registrar's generic top level domain space business – threat to suspend accreditation for failure to provide information in relation to generic top level domain space business – appropriate use of respondent's constitution and other governing documents in construing the contract TRADE PRACTICES – assertion thatrequest for information pursuant to right under contract – allegation that no right existed under contract therefore assertion was misleading or deceptive – allegation that threat to suspend accreditation for failing to provide information was misleading and deceptive as no right to request information – allegation that the request for information and threat to suspend accreditation was unconscionable FRANCHISING CODE OF CONDUCT - is the contract a "franchise agreement" – do the obligations imposed on the registrar amount to a "system or marketing plan" – does suspension of accreditation equate to termination of the contract under regulation 21 WORDS AND PHRASES – "franchise agreement", "system or marketing plan" Trade Practices Act 1975 (Cth) s 51AC, s 51AD, s 52, s 80 Trade Practices (Industry – Franchising) Regulations 1998 Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v 4WD Systems Pty Ltd (2003) 200 ALR 491 Aquaclear Technology Pty Ltd v Cameron and Brister & Co Pty Ltd [2001] SASC 186 Boat & Motor Mart v Sea Ray Boats, Inc (1987) 825 F 2d 1285 Chem-Tek, Inc v General Motors Corporation (1993) 816 F Supp 123 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (1982) 149 CLR 337 Foran v Wight (1989) 168 CLR 385 Gardner Mountain and D'Ambrumenil Ltd v Inland Revenue Commissioner [1947] 1 All ER 650 Global Sportsman Pty Ltd v Mirror Newspapers Ltd (1984) 2 FCR 82 Grand Light & Supply Co, Inc v Honeywell, Inc (1985) 771 F 2d 672 In re A Solicitor [1945] 1 KB 368 Master Abrasives Corporation v Williams (1984) 469 NE 2 d 1196 Registrar of Titles (WA) v Franzon (1975) 132 CLR 611 Subway Systems Australia Pty Ltd v Thorpe [2000] QSC 099 The Australian Heritage Commission v Mount Isa Mines Limited (1997) 187 CLR 297 Wright-Moore Corporation v Ricoh Competition (1990) 908 F 2d 128